Youth Leadership and National Representation: Empowering Afghanistan’s Future Generation

Keypoints:

• Youth Empowerment: Youth lead and shape Afghanistan’s future.
• National Pride: Every Afghan must honor and defend their homeland.
• Unity: Generational and regional unity is key for national success.
• Representation: Youth represent all citizens, including marginalized groups.
• Leadership Skills: Leadership needs courage, patience, and responsibility.
• Democracy: Participation strengthens people’s governance and rights.
• Knowledge of History: Knowing Afghanistan’s past guides leadership.
• Accountability: Leaders are responsible to citizens and act ethically.
• Vision and Planning: Change requires strategy, not reactive decisions.
• Work Ethic: Hard work and discipline are vital for development.

In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful.

The Acting Speaker of the Youth Parliament, young representatives of the nation, esteemed members of the Cabinet, advisors, His Excellency [Fazal Hadi] Muslimyar Sahib, and the leadership of the Meshrano Jirga—Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullah wa Barakatuh! Khush Kil Ding! Manana! Welcome! It is a profound honor to welcome the vibrant and dynamic generation—the generation that will heal the wounds of this country and serve as the future leaders of Afghanistan—to the "House of the Nation." Representing the people in this sacred hall is both a magnificent honor and a monumental responsibility. You are welcome here for both your representation and your responsibility!

Gratitude and Recognition

First and foremost, I wish to offer my gratitude. I thank the young generation for your daily sacrifices in the trenches, defending this holy soil. You have claimed every inch of Afghanistan as your own. In every corner of this land, the pure blood of our youth and our diverse generations testifies to our commitment: this sacred land will endure for thousands of years to come. Let no one look upon this land with contempt. This is the home of lions; it is the home of the brave young women who carry the banner of Malalai. The blood of the Ghaza (struggle for freedom) flows in the veins of every one of us.

You have heard the story of Alexander the Great as told by our ancestors: Alexander conquered the world swiftly, yet he was stalled in Afghanistan. He asked his teacher, Aristotle, and his mother, "What secret lies in this soil that has halted me?" His mother told him to send a group of Afghans and a sack of their soil. On the first day, the Afghans arrived as captives and spoke reasonably. But on the second day, they spread the Afghan soil beneath the carpets. The moment those Afghans stepped upon their own soil, they drew their swords.

As the great Ustad Pazhwak once wrote: "A thousand jars of wine will not intoxicate the drunkard / Like the soil of the motherland intoxicates the patriot." You are those patriots. You possess a "divine madness" of love for this country. All of us—senators, youth, and the entire nation—stand in a single line to protect, inhabit, and build this land.

Preparation and Faith in Constitution

My second thanks is for your preparation. Today, the young generation is demonstrating its readiness to manage and lead the future. The establishment of this Youth Parliament proves your faith in the Constitution. You have not come here to represent a trade union; you have come to represent the nation in the House of the Nation. This shows a deep understanding that Afghanistan is not a land of dictatorship or self-will. As Ajmal Khattak said: "He who carries the intoxication of tyranny in his head / Is the same to me, whether he be Mongol or Afghan."

Generation of Connection vs. Division

The new Afghan generation is the Generation of Connection (وصل), not the Generation of Division (فصل). What does "Connection" mean? As you represent 34 provinces today, we understand that in this house, you are not just provincial delegates; you are the voices of the poor, the widow, the disabled, the displaced, and our dignified refugees.

The suffering of Afghans has known no bounds. If any other people, lacking our five-thousand-year history, had endured this pain, they would not possess such hope, energy, and confidence today. You are the "Generation of Connection" because you have witnessed the agony of refugee tents and the sting of discrimination, where the Afghan woman was denied her right to education. There will be no return to the past. Our achievements are forward-looking. We move toward the future with certainty because we believe in one another.

Look at history. This hall may be physically smaller than other venues, but it contains extraordinary historical feats. Why? Because we achieved greatness when we were united. We flourished when we had "Generations of Connection," and whenever we sowed discord, we uprooted our own foundations. Therefore, your generation must uphold unity—first, unity in the "Rope of Allah," and then National Unity.

Acknowledgment of Youth Energy and Dedication

I also wish to congratulate you on International Youth Day. The energy I saw then was boundless, and the energy I see today is equally immense. Thank you for accepting a 67-year-old man among the youth! I believe your judgment is fair for two reasons:

1. Exile is not living: I was away for thirty years, and years in exile do not count toward one's life. No Afghan wishes to become a refugee again; we have a firm resolve to complete the body of this nation by bringing all our refugees home.

2. Work ethic: In terms of working hours, I can still outpace you! This is not because your energy is lacking, but because you are not yet accustomed to the 16-hour workday. Insha’Allah, you will adopt this habit, for the country requires our labor.

Representation

Thirdly, let us speak of Representation. In our country, it is difficult to earn a name and honor, but very easy to lose it. Look at your villages. To whom do the people turn? Whom do they call Baba or Kaka? They turn to those who have earned their trust.

We are a land of Jirgas and Markas. Do you know the difference between the Law and the Jirga? The Law says if someone sins, punish them. The Jirga says: maintain stability, bring peace, and reconcile the people. This is the essence of your representation. When you represent the nation, your individual identity transforms into a collective identity. Representation is a heavy burden. Our people are dignified; their collective judgment is always just. We must listen to them.

Leadership

Fourthly, I speak to you of Leadership. Read the Dastarnama, the Baznama, and the Swatnama. Read the thoughts of Khushal Khan Khattak to understand the characteristics of leadership.

As a leader, the moment the President of Afghanistan sits in his chair, he no longer has the right to personal emotions. My best days were when I was not President; I had absolute freedom of speech and pen. But the philosophy of leadership is this: "Your tongue is both your fortress and your plague." The President does not have the right to speak carelessly. Patience, tolerance, and endurance are the hallmarks of leadership. This does not mean a lack of decisiveness. Once a decision is weighed and analyzed, it must be implemented with absolute resolve. But we must understand our environment. Without understanding, all actions are in vain.

Leadership requires Accountability. We believe that death is closer to us than our jugular vein. Our first accountability is to be ready to answer for our deeds on the Day of Judgment.

Faith and Civilization

Sisters and brothers! Never forget who we are. We were Muslims, we are Muslims, and we shall remain Muslims forever. Our understanding of Islam is vital. To save ourselves from the plague of extremism, we must understand the true definition of Islam.

A thousand years ago, who were we? We were a people who fused the civilizations of the world to create the most brilliant era of human history. Look at Al-Biruni in Ghazni, who calculated the Earth’s circumference and logically deduced the existence of a continent like America. He established the coordinates of every Afghan city so people could face Mecca with precision. We possess a magnificent civilization, but because we are unaware of it, we have surrendered its legacy to others. Raise your voices! Represent the great nation of Afghanistan and the great Ummah of Islam correctly. Do not allow a few extremists—calling themselves ISIS or terrorists—to hold a civilization hostage. That is leadership; that is courage.

Strategic Leadership

Leadership is not merely reacting. Leadership is about changing the environment. If you lack the power to change the environment, you cannot fulfill the hopes of the nation. Two years ago, the world was in doubt. Our neighbors were strong, and we were isolated. But we were purposeful.

Basic leadership is thinking about fundamental things and convincing the youth that progress is like a ladder—you cannot reach the roof in one leap. You must climb step by step so that no one can take the ladder away and leave you stranded.

Democracy

Fifthly, I speak of Democracy. You are here to represent the people. I thank the Parliament for their unprecedented legislative work over the past 21 months. For example, to join the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Parliament worked with the executive at such speed that all necessary laws were completed on time.

Democracy is not about "everything for me." This is a land of lions. As the Pashto proverb says: "If you say 'I am' and I say 'I am,' neither you nor I shall remain. But if I say 'You are' and you say 'You are,' then both of us shall endure." I am proud to have visited all 34 provinces multiple times. I ask the youth: know all of Afghanistan. Represent every corner, from the heights of Pamir to the sands of Nimroz, from the forests of Paktia to the heat of Helmand. Democracy means that an Afghan living on the border feels connected to their fellow citizens, not to those across the line. Our nation is strong. Represent this national will so it becomes a powerful political consensus.

Closing and Invitation

Finally, I thank you for allowing me to serve you. I have one request: when you complete your work here, come to the Arg (Presidential Palace) as guests—not as my guests, but as guests of your own home. I sit there because of your votes. Come and see how your home represents you.

Yashasin Afghanistan!Tal de wi Afghanistan!Long live Afghanistan!